Forget Coach the Year - who was the **worst** NFL coach this year? (1 Viewer)

[jumper]

So enough talk about which coach that did well this year deserves an award. Shane Steichen vs. Kyle Shanahan arguments are boring. I want to get to the more interesting discussion, which NFL coach was the absolutely most sucktacular this year? Let's have at it - who was the worst of the worst of NFL coaches this year?

Hat tip to @General Malaise for the inspiration to this thread - 2023 NFL Coach of the Year - Vote Here, Vote Hard!​

 

[Deamon]

Well usually COY is team that outperformed their expected win total for the year. So taking that into consideration, it is actually surprising how few teams will finish below their projected win totals.
Panthers and Chargers are the main obvious ones.

 

[nittanylion]

How in the hell is Ron Rivera not on this list?!!

 

[Sarlakticacid]

McD by light years

 

[TheWinz]

As a Chargers fan, I had to vote for Staley. Buh bye!

 

[Doug B]

Dennis Allen, Saints. Took a stacked roster and the easiest schedule in decades and turned it into a 7-8 underperformance. Mike McDaniel or Andy Reid has this same roster at 11-4 at worst,

 

[-OZ-]

As much as I’d like to say McDaniels, he had less talent to work with than Staley. Not that the Raiders are untalented, but Staley had a top 5 QB, very good skill position players, two of the top defensive players at their position (although Derwin might not be that now), and a better than average OC.

Reich, BB, And Eberflus had FAR less talent to work with than the other guys.

Tomlin shouldn’t get a pass but he’s still at least an average HC. If he’s on here, Vrabel probably should be too.

 

[-OZ-]

Well usually COY is team that outperformed their expected win total for the year. So taking that into consideration, it is actually surprising how few teams will finish below their projected win totals.
Panthers and Chargers are the main obvious ones.

True, but how many wins did you really expect from Carolina?
I know Vegas had them at 7.5 but that was ridiculously optimistic.

 

[ProstheticRGK]

Brandon Staley.

Honorable mention (Most punchable face edition) McDaniels

 

[Tha Guru]

Dennis Allen, Saints. Took a stacked roster and the easiest schedule in decades and turned it into a 7-8 underperformance. Mike McDaniel or Andy Reid has this same roster at 11-4 at worst,

This is the correct answer. How much more evidence do we need to see he's not a HC.

 

[zoonation]

Staley. However, the silver medal goes to Arthur Smith and the bronze to Dennis Allen who were not options.

 

[DocHolliday]

Staley. However, the silver medal goes to Arthur Smith and the bronze to Dennis Allen who were not options.

Smith deserves a mention. I still don’t understand how the offense can be so horrible with Bijan, London and Pitts.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

I have to go with Staley, because just basic, competent, A-B-C coaching would have this roster in the playoffs.

 

[need2know]

Alot to choose from

 

[Zeppelin]

I voted Staley and I don't even think it's close.

 

[ChiefD]

Man it's gotta be Reich. He looked defeated from day one and aged about 30 years in 10 weeks. He had no chance.

 

[-OZ-]

Staley. However, the silver medal goes to Arthur Smith and the bronze to Dennis Allen who were not options.

Smith deserves a mention. I still don’t understand how the offense can be so horrible with Bijan, London and Pitts.

QBs matter?
But Heinicke should be decent enough given what we’ve seen from Mullens, Flacco, browning, and even Devito.

 

[Snoopy]

Are we talking head coaches only? Otherwise I would say Joe Berry.

 

[-OZ-]

Man it's gotta be Reich. He looked defeated from day one and aged about 30 years in 10 weeks. He had no chance.

Not sure he even qualifies.
Can the panthers just close up shop?

 

[Drunken Cowboy]

McD by light years

This is the only answer.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

I have to go with Staley, because just basic, competent, A-B-C coaching would have this roster in the playoffs.

Their OL is awful and your chances of winning aren't great if you can't block. But the coaching was awful too.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

I voted McDaniels because not only did his team perform poorly on the field, he lost the locker room because of his toxic personality. Most coaches are at least competent at being leaders of men even if they aren't good enough to produce wins on the field. McDaniels failed at both.

 

[Rubi]

Josh by gosh.
Staley has been in this conversation the last few years.
Josh quit on his team if reports are accurate,at least Staley manned up and had his players support

 

[3C's]

McDaniels by far. LV looked like a joke before he was let go and now they look like they could beat anyone (if all goes well).

 

[LawFitz]

Josh McDonalds show

 

[JohnnyU]

Frank Kush

 

[General Malaise]

I voted other for one reason and one reason only:

Robert Saleh is my pick because he refused to budge off of Zach Wilson. He was too stubborn and despite a defense built for a Super Bowl, he squandered it by sticking with Wilson week after agonizing week. His GM is culpable too for not going out and signing a Joe Flacco type.....and Flacco played for the Jets last year. It's inexcusable and if I'm a Jets defensive star, I'm pissed.

 

[ShamrockPride]

Tomlin is the only one here who has no control of his locker room.

 

[ConnSKINS26]

Tomlin is the only one here who has no control of his locker room.

isn’t this basically just a George Pickens problem? Like they haven’t had success with headcase selfish WR’s before?

I think Tomlin is too old school for this modern NFL, yes, but is generally a good coach. This is more of an organizational thing but he’s just too loyal to his coordinators. Steelers fans should really be mad at him for how long he stuck with Canada. If Tomlin stays in PIT or goes elsewhere he really needs a young, innovative playcaller as an OC. Who will then get stolen to be a HC if they have any success—but that’s why teams should be hiring offensive HC’s and not Tomlins.

 

[RenegadeRoy]

It’s McDangles for sure. Had the attitude of being the smartest man in the room when he probably wasn’t even the smartest object in the room.

 

[ffmail4me]

Ron Rivera

 

[Deamon]

Well usually COY is team that outperformed their expected win total for the year. So taking that into consideration, it is actually surprising how few teams will finish below their projected win totals.
Panthers and Chargers are the main obvious ones.

True, but how many wins did you really expect from Carolina?
I know Vegas had them at 7.5 but that was ridiculously optimistic.

Vegas had them at 4. You saw 7.5?!

 

[-OZ-]

Well usually COY is team that outperformed their expected win total for the year. So taking that into consideration, it is actually surprising how few teams will finish below their projected win totals.
Panthers and Chargers are the main obvious ones.

True, but how many wins did you really expect from Carolina?
I know Vegas had them at 7.5 but that was ridiculously optimistic.

Vegas had them at 4. You saw 7.5?!

https://www.si.com/nfl/panthers/betting/carolina-panthers-2023-24-nfl-win-total-season-record-predictions-odds-august-30-2023

4 makes a lot more sense. Might just be draft kings?

Before even making any Panthers predictions, their win total must be noted, which is set at 7.5 wins. That seems right on the mark, as our experts see them winning seven games this season.

 

[Deamon]

Well usually COY is team that outperformed their expected win total for the year. So taking that into consideration, it is actually surprising how few teams will finish below their projected win totals.
Panthers and Chargers are the main obvious ones.

True, but how many wins did you really expect from Carolina?
I know Vegas had them at 7.5 but that was ridiculously optimistic.

Vegas had them at 4. You saw 7.5?!

https://www.si.com/nfl/panthers/betting/carolina-panthers-2023-24-nfl-win-total-season-record-predictions-odds-august-30-2023

4 makes a lot more sense. Might just be draft kings?

Before even making any Panthers predictions, their win total must be noted, which is set at 7.5 wins. That seems right on the mark, as our experts see them winning seven games this season.

damn, ya 7.5 seems insanely high. Mine shows 4.

I guess they finished strong last year and people thought Reich and Young would both be awesome, yet both turned out awful.

 

[MAC_32]

I voted McDaniels because not only did his team perform poorly on the field, he lost the locker room because of his toxic personality. Most coaches are at least competent at being leaders of men even if they aren't good enough to produce wins on the field. McDaniels failed at both.

This. Staley and Saleh are 2nd and 3rd, but the toxicity exuded by McD makes this a runaway.

 

[3C's]

he refused to budge off of Zach Wilson.

because the other dreck on that roster was so much better?

 

[Pip's Invitation]

he refused to budge off of Zach Wilson.

because the other dreck on that roster was so much better?

Many of the Jets fans on the forum wanted him and Douglas to make a trade after the Rodgers injury, or to have had a better backup for Rodgers to begin with.

 

[MAC_32]

he refused to budge off of Zach Wilson.

because the other dreck on that roster was so much better?

The Browns are going to make the playoffs with a great defense and a QB they plucked off the couch a month ago...Zach Wilson's backup last year. Is QB the Jets' biggest problem? Yes, but their coach is not part of the solution. Good coaching/culture should have done more...

 

[Shawnky]

Dennis Allen, Saints. Took a stacked roster and the easiest schedule in decades and turned it into a 7-8 underperformance. Mike McDaniel or Andy Reid has this same roster at 11-4 at worst,

Beat me to it.

 

[3C's]

he refused to budge off of Zach Wilson.

because the other dreck on that roster was so much better?

The Browns are going to make the playoffs with a great defense and a QB they plucked off the couch a month ago...Zach Wilson's backup last year. Is QB the Jets' biggest problem? Yes, but their coach is not part of the solution. Good coaching/culture should have done more...

I'm guessing since they had Flacco last year they weren't overly interested in bringing him back. And maybe Saleh is not the one who makes that decision.

 

[Deranged Hermit]

I have to go with Staley, because just basic, competent, A-B-C coaching would have this roster in the playoffs.

This was my answer almost word for word.

 

[Grahamburn]

Dennis Allen, Saints. Took a stacked roster and the easiest schedule in decades and turned it into a 7-8 underperformance. Mike McDaniel or Andy Reid has this same roster at 11-4 at worst,

This is the correct answer. How much more evidence do we need to see he's not a HC.

That $100M fraud at QB adding another HC to his list.

 

[General Malaise]

he refused to budge off of Zach Wilson.

because the other dreck on that roster was so much better?

I see you read a fraction of what I wrote. Maybe read the rest?

Jets could have employed Flacco, you know....the guy who is saving the Browns' season AND PLAYED FOR NY JETS LAST YEAR.....but no, stubborn Saleh went to the podium game after inept game to say Zach Wilson gave them the best chance to win. Idiotic.

 

[General Malaise]

he refused to budge off of Zach Wilson.

because the other dreck on that roster was so much better?

The Browns are going to make the playoffs with a great defense and a QB they plucked off the couch a month ago...Zach Wilson's backup last year. Is QB the Jets' biggest problem? Yes, but their coach is not part of the solution. Good coaching/culture should have done more...

I'm guessing since they had Flacco last year they weren't overly interested in bringing him back. And maybe Saleh is not the one who makes that decision.

You're insinuating that the HC of a professional football team has no sway in the decision on who should play QB for them? C'mon.

 

[sheerterror]

I voted other for one reason and one reason only:

Robert Saleh is my pick because he refused to budge off of Zach Wilson. He was too stubborn and despite a defense built for a Super Bowl, he squandered it by sticking with Wilson week after agonizing week. His GM is culpable too for not going out and signing a Joe Flacco type.....and Flacco played for the Jets last year. It's inexcusable and if I'm a Jets defensive star, I'm pissed.

As a Jet fan, I'm offended Saleh wasn't even listed.

 

[Sarlakticacid]

I voted other for one reason and one reason only:

Robert Saleh is my pick because he refused to budge off of Zach Wilson. He was too stubborn and despite a defense built for a Super Bowl, he squandered it by sticking with Wilson week after agonizing week. His GM is culpable too for not going out and signing a Joe Flacco type.....and Flacco played for the Jets last year. It's inexcusable and if I'm a Jets defensive star, I'm pissed.

Isn’t the story that the front office forced Wilson all the way and Saleh has had to face up to the criticism when Wilson was not even his Choice?

 

[3C's]

he refused to budge off of Zach Wilson.

because the other dreck on that roster was so much better?

I see you read a fraction of what I wrote. Maybe read the rest?

Jets could have employed Flacco, you know....the guy who is saving the Browns' season AND PLAYED FOR NY JETS LAST YEAR.....but no, stubborn Saleh went to the podium game after inept game to say Zach Wilson gave them the best chance to win. Idiotic.

So much to say but I'll try to be brief.

I read your whole post. I don't disagree with the overall point that Saleh has done poorly, especially given the expectations to start the season. I do however disagree that sticking with Wilson is evidence of poor judgement. Wilson was their best option and iirc recently won offensive player of the week, so he does show flashes. As for Flacco, there were a bunch of QB needy teams yet none of them went running to knock on his door; saying he's saving their season is a bit much, they won with DTR and PJ as well, and his wins are against the bears and a spiraling jags team with an injured Trevor; and his QB rating last year was worse than Wilson, barely better this year, and he's thrown almost as many ints as he has tds, nearly 2/game. Flacco the statue behind that putrid Jets line wouldn't have been good (like last year).

 

[N Zone]

Ron Rivera is a craptastic coach, worst of them all.

 

[dmac37]

I vote Staley but also vote to have all of the FF community to sign a 2nd place award to Arthur and make sure we send it to him by UPS, not FedEx to rub it in

 

[DocHolliday]

I vote Staley but also vote to have all of the FF community to sign a 2nd place award to Arthur and make sure we send it to him by UPS, not FedEx to rub it in

I voted Staley too but Snith and McD were considered. The Raiders have not had a good coach in many years but McD was a train wreck pretty much out of the gate.

Were there more horrible coaches than usual this year? I see lots of good arguments for a handful of bad coaches.